Method and apparatus for packaging filamentary materials



Jan. 25, 1966 F. A. LOSCUDO ETAL 3,231,207

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING FILAMENTARY MATERIALS Filed April 11,1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS F/mn/c/s ,4. Laid/D0 & BY NORM/Ml 6. HEMUL 7' Arrow/[V5 Jan. 25, 1966 F. A. LOSCUDO ETAL Filed April ll 1962 2Sheets-Sheet 2 @130 l R14 U KL w Q L @MZLSC v /4[\ 146145 l 142 753 ff?& 1 241 Vi W 1 U6 1/20 1/9 /17 12/ L1 45/ J 2 A j 1 J H L3.\- J J J J jl l l l l l l1 1 M55 M25 M5 F. AIQIVENTORS& RAA/C/S 056000 BY ORMA/v 6?Human Y ATTORNEYS United States Patent C) 3,231,207 METHGD ANDAPPARATUS? FGR PACKAGKNG FHLAMENTARY MATERIALS Francis A. Loscndo,Cumberland, and Norman C. Henanlt, Woonsocket, 18.1., assignors to Quche-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr.Ill, 1962, Ser. No. 186,691 3 Claims. (Cl. 242-1t5) This inventionrelates to method of and apparatus for packaging filamentary or linearmaterials and more par ticularly to a method of and apparatus forcontrolling a linear bundle or strand of newly formed filaments inwinding the strand to form a strand package.

It has been conventional practice in forming packages of multifilamentstrand wherein the filaments are attenuated from streams of glass togather the filaments formed from the streams into a strand and wind thestrand upon a rotatable collector rotating at a comparativey high speedwhereby the fine filaments are attenuated from the streams by Windingthe strand into a package. Where the strand is wound upon a singlecollector or packaging sleeve totated by suitable mechanism, it becomesnecessary for the operator to break the continuous strand at or aboutthe time that the completed strand package comes to rest, remove or dofithe completed package from a winding collet and position a freshcollector or sleeve upon the rotatable collet or head.

In initiating strand collection upon an empty collector or sleeve, theoperator guides or directs the strand end onto a region of the colletbeyond the packaging sleeve and initiates rotation of the collet and theempty collector, at the same time holding the strand in a position tocontinue the winding of the strand on the collet until the collet andcollector reach a predetermined comparatively high constant speed. Theoperator then manually guides the strand into engagement with a rotatingand reciprocating strand traverse means which distributes the strand incrossing convolutions on the packaging sleeve. The strand initiallywound upon the collet is formed of abnormally large filaments forming acoarse strand which results because of the low speed of attenuation asthe winding sleeve is brought up to speed. This strand is waste. Afterthe completed package is brought to rest, the operator cuts the wastestrand from the end of the collet, removes or dotfs the completed strandpackage, and repeats the cycle of operations with an empty in place onthe collet.

In such method of operation, the strand is manually held by the operatorin a position to wind the unusable strand of filaments of nonuniformsize on the collet until the packaging sleeve reaches its predeterminedconstant strand attenuating speed. The operator then releases the strandfor winding in a conventional manner on the packaging sleeve orcollector.

Such operations require considerable time of an operator, and thereforean operator can only take care of a limited number of winding orpackaging machines. Furthermore, winding continued until the operatordeenergized the driving motor and hence the amount of strand would varyin different packages.

In such operations, the strand traverse employed for distributing thestrand lengthwise of the packag ng sleeve may come to rest in anyposition with respect to the completed package when the winding colletis brought to rest. In initiating winding on an empty sleeve, it wasnecessary for the operator to manually move the strand into engagementwith the traverse because of the varying positions of rest of thetraverse at the completion of package forming operations.

The present invention embraces the provision of a method of andapparatus for controlling a strand of fibers or filaments in the windingof packages of the strand at the completion of a strand packageinvolving transfer of the moving strand to a transfer region and theinitiation of winding to form a new package wherein the strand isautomatically moved to the transfer region and automatically redirectedto package winding position.

An object of the invention is the provision of a method of and apparatusfor packaging strand or filamentary material by winding the strand on arotatable collector wherein the winding time of forming a package ispredetermined or timed so that packages having a uniform amount ofstrand will be produced and wherein the strand is automatically directedaway from package winding position at the completion of a package.

Another object of the invention resides in a'winding apparatus forwinding strand or filamentary material upon rotatable collectors to formstrand packages embodying means operable at a predetermined time to pushthe strand away from package winding region to a transfer region andmaintaining the strand at the transfer region during dofiing of thecompleted package and replacement of an. empty collector at the windimstation wherein the means is arranged to release the strand to packagewinding position after the strand has been brought up to a constantlinear speed.

Another object of the invention resides in an instrumentality for usewith a winding machine particularly adapted for winding newly formedfilaments of glass or other material in strand formation arranged tocontrol the relative position of the strand from the time a package iscompleted until winding of a suceeding package is begun, the said meansbeing under control of a timing means whereby packages containing auniform amount of strand will be produced automatically.

Another object of the invention resides in. the provision of a strandpush-off means for strand packaging apparatus wherein the strandengaging component of the pushoff means is of a character to reduce orminimize the shock of engagement with the rapidly moving strand wherebywear of the push-off means is reduced to a mini mum.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a method ofand apparatus for automatically moving a strand to a transfer positionat the completion of a strand package independently of operator controland wherein an initial winding of strand is begun at a marginal regionadjacent a strand collector and the strand maintained in such marginalregion by timing means until the collector attains a constant speed atwhich time the strand is automatically moved from the transfer region topackage winding region without manual operation.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of means fortransferring a strand of filaments during high speed linear movement ofthe strand for package dofiing purposes, the arrangement including arotatable means engageable with the strand whereby to reduce the shockof strand contact and providing a substantial area for contact with thestrand thereby minimizing the wear of the strand engaging means andsubstantially eliminating replacement thereof.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this inventionsuch as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the relatedelements of the structure, to various details of construction and tocombinations of parts, elements per se, and to economics of manufactureand numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration ofthe specification and drawing of a form of the invention, which may bepreferred, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an end elevational view of a winding apparatus embodying theinvention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the construction shown in FIGURE1;

Q. FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus; FIGURE 4- is anisometric view illustrating a strand transfer means of the invention,and

FIGURE 5 is a schematic diagram of circuits for the electricallyenergized components and controls.

While the invention has particular utility for controlling the windingof a strand or sliver of newly formed filaments attenuated from streamsof glass or other heatsoftenable filament-forming material, it is to beunderstood that the method and apparatus of the invention may beemployed wherever it may be found to have utility.

FIGURES 1 through 3 illustrate a winding apparatus or machine embodyingthe invention, the apparatus or machine being especially adapted to windor collect multifilament strand, sliver or other linear material upon acollector, the form of collector illustrated being a thin walled sleevewhich, in package forming position, is mounted upon a rotatable collet,the arrangement including traverse means for distributing the strand orsliver on the collector.

The apparatus or machine is inclusive of a frame structure or housingit) equipped with a bracket 12 supporting a platform 14- which providesa mounting means for components of the machine. The housing and frameconstruction includes brackets 15 which accommodate a pivot shaft 16carried by the housin of an electrically energizable motor Mi providinga pivotal support for the motor. lournally supported in the housing 10is a rotatable shaft or mandrel 2t? which is driven by the motor M1through the medium of a belt 21 engaging a pulley 2 2 on the motor shaftand a pulley 23 carried by the shaft 2%.

The shaft 2% supports a collet 24 disposed exteriorly of the housing Thecollet is adapted to support a strand or sliver collector, forming tubeor sleeve 26. The

collector or sleeve 26 forms a core or means upon which a strand orsliver 23 of filaments is wound to form a package.

The tubular sleeve is comparatively thin-walled and is slidably receivedon the collet or winding head 24 and may be easily removed and replacedwith an empty sleeve upon the completion of a strand package. The strand2? comprises a substantial number of fine filaments of glass or otherheat-softened material attenuated from streams of the heat-softenedmaterial flowed from a stream feeder (not shown) of conventionalcharacter.

The filaments comprising the strand or sliver 28 are converged intostrand formation by a gathering shoe 2) in a conventional manner. Thewindirn or packaging mechanism includes a rotatable and reciprocabletraverse means which effects deposition of convolutions of strand orsliver onto the package in crossing relation and also distributes thestrand or sliver lengthwise of the collector or sleeve 26.

In the embodiment illustrated, the traverse means is inclusive of a rodor member which is reciprocably supported in suitable bearings containedwithin the housing 10, the rod being disposed in substantial parallelismwith the axis of-rotation of the collet 24 and the collector 26. Astrand engaging traverse means 34 is mounted upon the traverse rod 3%,the arrangement 34 being shaped to effect rapid oscillation of thestrand 2%- as the strand is being wound upon the package sleeve 26 so asto effect a crossing of individual convolutions of strand as the strandis collected.

The form of strand traverse means 34 is of generally spiralconfiguration of the character shown and described in the patent toBeach 2,391,870 comprising two wire-like portions 35, the ends of theportions being secured to the shaft 36'. The rod supporting the traversemeans 34 is adapted to be reciprocated by a cam mechanism driven by amotor M3 through suitable speed reducing means. Mounted interiorly ofthe housing it and supported by the plate 14 is a supplemental housingor casing provided with bearings which journally support a shaft d2.Supported on the shaft 42 is a hub formed with a cam member dd providedwith a cam slot td.

The motor M3 is provided with a pulley 48 which, through the medium of abelt 49, drives a pulley 5i mounted upon a shaft 51. interposed betweenthe shafts 42; and 51 is a speed reducing mechanism 54 whereby the speedof the cam driving shaft 4-2 is greatly reduced to rotate the cam 44 ata comparatively slow speed. Disposed within the housing 1% is arelatively stationary rod which is in parallel relation with the shaft30 of the traverse means. Mounted upon the shaft 56 is a yoke 58. Suearm as of the yoke is bored to receive the shaft 56 and is slidablealong the shaft.

The other portion or arm 62 of the yoke is bored to accommodate thetraverse drive shaft Sti, shaft 3% being rotatable relative to the arm$2. The portion or arm 6?. of the yoke is arranged between two collarst4, the collars being secured to the shaft 30 and rotatable therewith.

Through this arrangement, longitudinal movement of the yoke 51'; alongthe rod will effect reciprocatory movement of the traverse drive shaft3i} yet permitting rotation of the shaft 3%. The central region of theyoke 53 is provided with a cam follower or pin as which extends into thecam groove or slot It will be apparent that rotation of the cam membereffects longitudinal reciprocatory movement of the yoke 58 through adistance determined by the shape of the earn as at a rate depending uponthe ratio of the speed reducing mechanism 54. The means for effectingrotation of the traverse drive shaft or bar 3d is inclusive of a motorM2. The shaft of motor M2 is provided with a pulley 71 which transmitspower through a'belt "72 to a pulley 73 fixedly mounted upon a shaft'75.

The traverse drive shaft 39 is formed with a hollow interior or bore toaccommodate a region of the shaft 75. The shaft 75 is provided withsplines and tire hollow interior of the drive shaft 3f: provided withgrooves accommodating the splines to form a driving yet slidableconnection between the shaft '75 and the traverse supporting shaft Thusthrough the spline and groove arrangement between shafts 3d and '75, theshaft St? is rotated by the motor M2 yet permitting reciprocation of theshaft under the influence of the cam 44 without aiiecting rotation ofthe shaft fit A braking means is provided whereby the operator isenabled to rapidly bring the winding collect 2d and packaging sleeve 26to rest at the completion of a winding cycle in collecting the strand onthe sleeve 26. The collect shaft 2% is encompassed by brake shoes 79,the brake shoes being pivoted upon an anchor pin 8%. The distal ends ofthe brake shoes are attached respectively to links 82 and 83 which areconnected together by a pivot pin 84.

The link 33 isformed with an integral arm 85 to which is pivotallyattached a foot actuated rod 8'7 pivotally connected to a brakeoperating pedal lever 83, the latter being fulcrumed on a pin dtlsupported by the housing Ill. Depression of the foot lever 83 by theoperator contracts the brake shoes '7? into engagement with theperiphery of the collet shaft 2t through the medium of the links 82 and83 thereby rapidly bringing the collet to a stop.

During the winding of the sliver or strand of filaments upon the sleeve26, the rotation of the traverse means 34 effects a crossing of theindividual convolutions of strand as they are collected upon the sleeve26, and the reciprocation of the traverse supporting shaft 3t? effectsdistribution of the strand by the traverse means lengthwise of thepackaging sleeve 26, the shaft Eli being reciprocated by the cam means44.

The rapid traverse movement of the strand or sliver, effected throughrotation of the traverse means 34, is usually referred to as mircotraverse While the traversing or distribution of the strand or sliverlengthwise of the packaging sleeve 26 by reciprocation of the traversemeans 34 is referred to as macro traverse.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, a microswitch 98 is provided with a movablemember 1% which is adapted to be engaged by an arm 102 carried by therod 87 or other means actuated by the foot pedal 88. Upon depression ofthe foot pedal 88, the arm 1G2 engages the movable component 1% of themicroswitch 98 to interrupt a control circuit as hereinafter described,the brake means 79 being brought into operation by depression of thefoot pedal 88 concomitantly with interruption of the circuit of themotor M2.

The foot operated pedal 88 is formed with an arm 89 arranged wherebydepression of the pedal 88 swings the motor M1 upwardly about its pivotsupport 16 to move the driving pulley upwardly out of frictional drivingengagement with the belt 21 whereby the collet may be brought to restand the motor M1 continue its rotation during the period of dofling acompleted package and afiixing an empty sleeve on the collet. Theoperation of the apparatus for carrying out the method will be describedin connection with the circuit diagram, FIGURE 5, for the motors M1, M2and M3 and control components or elements therefor.

The invention is inclusive of a method of and means for transferring alinear bundle or strand of filaments to a transfer region during theperiod of dofiing a completed package and initiating a succeeding cycleof winding another package. The method and apparatus includes means fortiming the duration of formation of a package in order to securepackages having substantially the same amount of strand materialthereon. The means for transferring the strand, in the embodimentillustrated, is supported by the housing 1% and is reciprocable formoving the strand to a transfer region.

In the embodiment illustrated, a rod or member 115 extends into acylinder 117, the rod being equipped with a piston 119 reciprocable inthe cylinder. The member 115 is reciprocated by fluid under pressuresuch as air, oil or other suitable fluid which is admitted alternatelyinto the end fittings or heads 120 and 121 of the cylinder through tubesor ducts 122 and 124 shown in FIGURES 2, 3 and 5. The axis of plunger ormember 115 and the cylinder 117 is parallel with the axis of the colletand the axis of the traverse bar 311.

The member or plunger 115 is equipped with a T-shaped fitting 126, themember 115 having a threaded portion 127 extending through an opening inthe fitting 126 and being secured thereto by a nut 12%.

The oppositely extending arms of the T-shaped fitting 126 are providedwith openings to receive projections or portions 13% of a member 132.The member 132 has an elongated portion 134 extending transversely ofthe axis of the member 115'. The transversely extending portion 134supports a tube or sleeve 1% which is rotatable on the portion 134 andis adaptedfor engagement with the strand 28 to effect transfer of thestrand as hereinafter explained.

The strand engaging means 136, in effect, provides an anti-frictionmeans or roller engageable with the strand and, as it is rotatable, itsuse minimizes or reduces shock when the member 136 is engaged with therapidly advancing strand 28. The elongated portion 13 of member 132 maybe arranged to directly engage the strand without the interposition ofthe member 136 but appreciable wear of member 134, due to the frictionalengagement of the strand therewith, may result.

It is found that the rotatable member or roller 136 not only minimizesthe shock of engagement when it engages the rapidly moving strand butalso provides a moving surface of large area for strand engagement andthereby minimizes wear of the rotatable member 136. The member 115, inFIGURE 2, is shown in its fully projected position with respect to thehousing and in FIG- URE 3, it is shown in its retracted position out ofengagement with the strand.

The member 136 is preferably of substantial length so that engagementwith the strand 28 is assured during the strand push-off or strandtransfer movement of member 115. The strand push-oif means 115, 136 isadapted, at the completion of a strand package wound upon the strandcollector or tube 26, to push or transfer the strand to substantiallythe position shown in FIGURE 2 adjacent the marginal or end region ofthe sleeve 26 or upon the projecting portion 24 of the sleeve supportingcollet 2d and out of engagement with or the influence of the spiral wiretraverse or strand oscillator 35.

The strand push-off means holds the strand at the transfer region, asshown in FIGURE 2, during dotfing of the completed package which hasbeen formed on the collector 26 and the placement of an empty collectoror sleeve on the collet 24 preparatory to winding a succeeding package.The strand is retained at the transfer region during the period that thecollet 24 and the empty sleeve are being brought up to a constantfilament attenuating speed at which time the plunger is retracted intothe cylinder 117 and the roller 136 Withdrawn from engagement with thestrand and out of the path of movement of the strand as it is traversedlengthwise of the collector during package formation.

As the strand, when held in the transfer region by the means 136, is inan angular position between the guide shoe 29 and the collet and sleeve,as shown in FIG- URE 2, the angularity of the strand influences it tomove into engagement with the traverse 35 upon retraction of the means136. The traverse 35, being rotatable and reciprocable distributes thestrand lengthwise of the collector or sleeve 26 in layers wherein theindividual convolutions of strand are in crossing relation throughoutthe package by reason of the oscillation of the strand under theinfluence of the oscillator or spiral wire traverse 35.

A suitable valve means 140, shown schematically in FIGURE 5, which is ofthe multi-way type, controls the flow of pressure fluid alternately intothe opposite ends 120 and 121 of the cylinder 117 by way of tubes 122and 124. The valve means is preferably of the solenoid operated typeoperated by solenoids 142 and 144. The solenoids 142 and 144 arecontrolled by a suitable timing or programming means illustratedschematically at T in FIGURE 5.

A supply pipe 146 is arranged to convey fluid under pressure, such ascompressed air, to the valve means 140, and an exhaust pipe 143connected with the valve means may be provided to convey away spent airfrom the cylinder 117.

The timing means T, in the arrangement illustrated schematically inFIGURE 5, is provided with three sets of controls or contacts designatedT1, T2 and T3. The contacts T1 effect the energization of the circuitcontrol MZSC for both motors M2 and M3. The contacts T2 complete acircuit through the solenoid 142 for retracting the plunger 115 and thestrand push-off means 136, and the contacts T3 complete a circuitthrough solenoid 144 to project the plunger 115 and the strand engagingor push-ofi means 136 to the strand transfer region at the completion ofa strand package.

The microswitch 98 is normally closed when the pedal lever 88 is in itsuppermost or normal position, the switch 98 completing a circuit throughthe solenoid of relay R1 to close the relay contacts R1-1. The timer Tis of the automatic resetting type, and is automatically reset when everthe pedal operated microswitch 98 is opened by depression of the pedal88.

The operation of the several method steps is as follows: With particularreference to circuit diagram, FIGURE 5, in utilizing the apparatus towind strand packages of mineral filaments such as glass filaments, theoperator afiixes or telescopes an empty sleeve, tube or collector 26onto the collet 24 in package winding position as shown in FIGURES 2 and3. The strand 28 of filaments is held 7 or placed in the positionillustrated in FIGURE 2 by the strand push-off means 136.

The operator then closes the switch T S3 which energizes a circuitthrough the starting control MISC which actuates contacts MKS, startingthe motor Ml mranged to drive the collet Z4 and the sleeve 26. Theoperator depresses the pedal 83 which slackens the belt 21*. tointerrupt rotation of the collet and sleeve, the brake shoes '79 holdingthe collet 24 against rotation. The operator then manually winds a fewturns of the strand 28 on the surface of the projecting portion 24' ofthe collet 24 to snub the strand onto the collet.

The operator then releases the pedal 88 which closes the microswitch 98energizing the solenoid of relay R1 closing the contacts Rlll. Theclosing of contacts Rio-1 starts or initiates the operation of the timeror programmer T and contacts T1 are thereby closed completing thecircuit through the starting control MZSC which initiates rotation ofboth motors M2 and M3. The motor M2 rotates the strand traverse means oroscillator 3d and the motor M3 rotates the cam 44 to reciprocate thetraverse means or oscillator 34.

The timer or programmer T is timed to delay the closing of the timercontacts T2 until the collet 2d and the sleeve as have reached acomparatively high constant speed so that the attenuated filaments willbe of substantially uniform size.

During this period the strand is held by the control member 136 inalignment with the portion 24- of the collet 24 and the winding of thestrand, until the contacts T2 are closed by the timer, occurs on thecollet portion 24. The strand thus wound upon the collet until thecollet and sleeve are brought up to constant speed is afterwards cutof]? or removed as waste by the operator.

Ordinarily the packaging sleeve and collet are brought up to speed in afew seconds, usually nine or ten seconds being sulficient. The contactsT2 of the timer are then closed, completing a circuit through thesolenoid 142, actuating the relatively movable valve member in the valvemeans 140 to direct fluid under pressure from the supply tube 146through tube 122 into the end 12th of the cylinder 117 the pressurebeing effective against the left-hand end of the piston 119, as viewedin FIGURES 2 and 5.

The pressure of the fluid retracts the plunger 115 and the strandengaging control member 136 in a right-hand direction, as viewed inFIGURES 2 and 5. The retraction of the member 135 releases the strand 28for movement into engagement with the rotating oscillator or traversemeans 34 under the influence of the angular position of the strand,shown in FIGURE 2, and the winding of the strand begun on the sleeve orcollector 2%, to form a strand package. The strand control member 136 ismaintained in retracted position out of the path of movement of thestrand 2% during the winding of the package.

The contacts T3 of the timer T are arranged to time the period or"winding the strand to form the package. This period may be severalminutes, for example 26 minutes, in order to complete a package ofstrand. The timer is made adjustable in order to change this period asthe time period is dependent upon the size of filaments of the strand,the number of filaments in the strand and the amount of strand desiredin a completed package.

When the package has reached the desired size, viz. when thepredetermined time of forming the package has lapsed, the timer closescontacts T3, completing a circuit through the solenoid 144 of the valvemeans 149, actuating the movable valve of the means 146 to a position todirect fiuid under pressure, from the supply pipe 14.6 through the tube124 into the end 121 of the cylinder 117. The fluid pressure acts uponthe right-hand side of the piston 119, as viewed in FIGURES 2 and 5,cansing the plunger 115 to be projected in a left-hand direction and thestrand control or member 136 to engage and push the strand 23 to atransfer position illustrated in FIGURE 2.

In the transfer position indicated in FIGURE 2, the strand is inalignment with the portion of the collet 24" at the marginal region ofthe package or at the edge region of the collector 26. The action of themember 136 in pushing the strand in a left-hand direction, moves thestrand out of engagement with or influence of the rotating traversemeans or oscillator 34.

concomitantly with the closure of the contacts T3, the signal light L(shown in FIGURE 5) is energized, the signal light being for the purposeof alerting the operator that a strand package has been completed. Theoperator then depresses the pedal 83 which actuates the microswitch 93to tie-energize relay RE and reset the timer T. With the de-energizationof the relay R1, the relay contacts Rl-I'l are separated, and thecircuit to the motors M2 and M3 interrupted whereby the traverse meansor oscillater 3 ceases rotation and reciprocation.

he depression of the pedal 83 siackens the belt 21 to interrupt thedrive to the collet and the brake shoes 79 are simultaneously set tobring the collet- 2.4 and the completed strand package on the sleeve 26to a stop. The operator then breaks the strand, removes or doffs thecompleted package and afiixes or telescopes an empty sleeve 26- onto thecollet 24. During this period the memher 1% is held in its projectedposition as shown in FIG- URE 2 preparatory to a repetition of theabove-describedcycles or steps in forming a succeeding package.

in the event that the operator wishes to stop the motor M1, the switchTSS is moved to open position and all of the motor circuits and controlcircuits are thereby de-energized.

'In normal operations the operator holds the pedal 88 in depressedposition while dofiing the-completed package, affixing an empty sleeveon the collet and manually winding a few turns upon the portion 24 ofthe collet. The operator thereafter releases the pedal 83, closing relaycontacts R14 to again initiate operation of the timer and the sequenceof operations above-described.

It is to be understood that whenever the pedal 38 is depressed and themicroswitch 98 moved to open position, the timer T is automaticallyreset. While the transfer region of the strand is indicated in FIGURE 2as being in alignment with the collet portion 24, the transfer regionmay be at the end of the package sleeve 26 at the marginal region of apackage. The waste strand of filaments collected, either on the colletportion 245- or the edge region of a packaging sleeve 26, is cut otf bythe operator at the time the completed package is dofied and an emptysleeve placed in winding position.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the method involves providing acomparatively short delay period dur ing which the strand is wound upona rotating surface at the transfer region with the control member 136 inits projected position, and thereafter, the package is timed from theperiod of retraction of the bar 115 and strand push-off or controlmember 136 until member 136 is again projected to move the strand to thetransfer region at the completion of a package through the closing ofthe contacts T3 and actuation of the solenoid 14-4 of valve means 146.

It is apparent that, within the scope, of the invention, modificationsand different arrangements may be made other than as herein disclosed,and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the inventioncomprehending all variations thereof.

We claim:

1. The method of collecting a linear bundle of filaments in woundpackages wherein each package has substantially the same amount of thebundle of filaments wherein the bundle of filaments is Wound on arotating collector while traversing the bundle lengthwise of thecollector including manually initiating winding the bundle of filamentsby the operator adjacent the marginal region of the collector with thebundle engaged with a movable member, initiating rotation of thecollector by the operator and concomitantly setting a timer intooperation, automatically moving the member under the influence of thetimer to release the bundle of filaments to package winding andtraversing position when the collector attains a predetermined speed ofrotation, pushing the linear bundle by movement of the member under theinfluence of the timer lengthwise of the collector and away from thepackage at the completion of the package as determined by the timer, andstopping rotation of the package by the operator and thereby interruptadvancing movement of the bundle of filaments enabling the operator toremove the completed package and dispose an empty collector in Windingposition.

2. Apparatus for packaging a strand of filaments having a rotatablecollet arranged to support a tubular strand collector, means forrotating the collet and collector to wind the strand on the packagewinding area of the collector to form a package, a rotatable andreciprocable traverse means engageable With the strand for oscillatingthe strand and distributing the strand lengthwise on the package Windingarea of the collector, means for rotating and reciprocating the traversemeans, timing means adapted to be set into operation by the operator, arod reciprocable in a direction parallel with the axis of the collet, anelongated cylindrical element supported by the rod and disposedtransversely of the direction of movement of the strand being wound intoa package, means under the influence of the timing means forreciprocating the rod and cylindrical element, said cylindrical elementbeing adapted in a first position to engage and hold the strand out ofpackage Winding position, means actuable in one direction by theoperator for initiating rotation of the collector and concomitantlysetting into operation the timing means, said timing means being adaptedto effect movement of the rod and element to a second position when thecollector has reached a predetermined speed as determined by the timerto disengage the element from the strand and thereby release the strandfor movement to package Winding position, said timing means beingadapted to move the rod from the second position to the first positionto engage the element with the strand and move the strand away frompackage winding position at the completion of a package, the operatoractuable means being movable by the operator in another direction tostop the rotation of the collet and completed package and therebyinterrupt advancing movement of the strand.

3. Apparatus for packaging a strand of filaments having a rotatablecollet arranged to support a tubular strand collector, means forrotating the collet and collector to wind the strand on the packagewinding area of the collector to form a package a rotatable andreciprocable traverse means engageable with the strand for oscillatingthe strand and distributing the strand lengthwise on the package windingarea of the collector, means for rotating and reciprocating the traversemeans, timing means adapted to be set into operation by the operator, arod reciproca ble in a direction parallel with the axis of the collet, amember carried by the rod having an elongated portion extendingtransversely of the axis of the rod, an elongated tubular elementjournaled on the elongated portion of said member, fluid pressure meansunder the influence of the timing means for reciprocating the rod, saidtubular element and rod being adapted to be moved by the fluid pressuremeans to a first position of the element to engage and hold the strandout of package Winding position, means actuable in one direction by theoperator for initiating rotation of the collector and concomitantlysetting into operation the timing means, said timing means being adaptedto effect movement of the rod and element to a second position when thecollector has reached a predetermined speed as determined by the timerto disengage the element from the strand and thereby release the strandfor movement to package winding position, said timing means beingadapted to actuate the fluid pressure means to move the element from thesecond position to the first position to engage and transfer the strandaway from package winding position at the completion of a package, theoperator actuable means being movable by the operator in anotherdirection to stop rotation of the collet and completed package andthereby interrupt advancing movement of the strand.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 270,169 1/1883Wilmarth 242-157 988,283 3/ 1911 Palmer 242-157 1,503,713 8/1924 Sanders242-157 1,657,576 1/1928 Joyce 242-157 2,123,948 7/1938 Howorth 242-1572,199,861 5/1940 Sebrean et al 242-157 X 2,231,053 2/1941 Byrd 242-157 X2,457,786 12/ 1948 Slayter. 2,527,502 10/1950 Simison et al. 2,793,8195/1957 Hayden. 3,641,662 7/1962 Cochran 242-18 X 3,062,481 11/1962 Highet al.

FOREIGN PATENTS 637,469 2/ 1962 Canada.

MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner.

JOSEPH P. STRIZAK, Examiner.

2. APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING A STRAND OF FILAMENTS HAVING A ROTATBALECOLLET ARRANGED TO SUPPORT A TUBULAR STRAND COLLECTOR, MEANS FORROTATING THE COLLET AND COLLECTOR TO WIND THE STRANS ON THE PACKAGEWINDING AREA OF THE COLLECTOR TO FORM A PACKAGE, A ROTATABLE ANDRECIPROCABLE TRAVERSE MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH THE STRAND FOR OSICLLATINGTHE STRAND AND DISTRIBUTING THE STRAND LENGTWISE ON THE PACKAGE WINDINGAREA OF THE COLLECTOR, MEANS FOR ROTATING AND RECIPROCATING THE TRAVERSEMEANS, TIMING MEANS ADAPTED TO BE SET INTO OPERATION BY THE OPERATOR, AROD RECIPROCABLE IN A DIRECTION PARALLEL WITH THE AXIS OF THE COLLET, ANELONGATED CYLINDRICAL ELEMENT SUPPORTED BY THE ROD AND DISPOSEDTRANSVERSELY OF THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF THE STRAND BEING WOUND INTOA PACKAGE, MEANS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE TIMING MEANS FORRECIPROCATING THE ROD AND CYLINDRICAL ELEMENT, SAID CYLINDRICAL ELEMENTBEING ADAPTED IN A FIRST POSITION TO ENGAGE AND HOLD THE STRAND OUT OFPACKAGE WINDING POSITION, MEANS ACTUABLE IN ONE DIRECTION BY THEOPERATOR FOR INITIATING ROTATION OF THE COLLECTOR AND CONCOMITANTLYSETTING INTO OPERATION THE TIMING MEANS, SAID TIMING MEANS BEING ADAPTEDTO EFFECT MOVEMENT OF THE ROD AND ELEMENT TO A SECOND POSITION WHEN THECOLLECTOR HAS REACHED A PREDETERMINED SPEED AS DETERMINED BY THE TIMERTO DISENGAGE THE ELEMENT FROM THE STRAND AND THEREBY RELEASE THE STRANDFOR MOVEMENT TO PACKAGE WINDING POSITION, SAID TIMING MEANS BEINGADAPTED TO MOVE THE ROD FROM THE SECOND POSITION TO THE FIRST POSITIONTO ENGAGE THE ELEMENT WITH THE STRAND AND MOVE THE STRAND AWAY FORMPACKAGE WINDING POSITION AT THE COMPLETION OF A PACKAGE, THE OPERATORACTUABLE MEANS BEING MOVABLE BY THE OPERATOR IN ANOTHER DIRECTION TOSTOP THE ROTATION OF THE COLLET AND COMPLETED PACKAGE AND THEREBYINTERRUPT ADVANCING MOVMENT OF THE STRAND.